Methods and apparatus for connecting computer aided dispatch systems and internet-of-things systems for providing emergency response services

Abstract

Methods, systems and devices for connecting computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems for providing improved emergency response services are described. An example method includes connecting to a first CAD system and a second CAD system, wherein the information exchange interfaces associated with the first and second CAD systems are incompatible, and performing, using a common user interface overlay, the following operations: receiving an indication of an emergency situation, transmitting a list of available assets to the first CAD system, wherein the list of available assets comprises at least a set of available assets that are controlled by the second CAD system, receiving, from the first CAD system, a set of active assets designated to respond to the emergency situation, wherein the set of active assets is selected from the list of available assets, and transmitting, to the second CAD system, the set of active assets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of communicating emergency information, comprising:
 connecting to a first computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and a second CAD system, wherein an information exchange interface associated with the first CAD system is incompatible with an information exchange interface associated with the second CAD system; and   performing, using a common user interface overlay, the following operations:
 receiving an indication of an emergency situation, 
 transmitting a list of available assets to the first CAD system, wherein the list of available assets comprises at least a set of available assets that are controlled by the second CAD system, 
 receiving, from the first CAD system, a set of active assets designated to respond to the emergency situation, wherein the set of active assets is selected from the list of available assets, and 
 transmitting, to the second CAD system, the set of active assets. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting the set of active assets is based on at least a location of the emergency situation. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting the set of active assets is further based on nature of the emergency situation, capabilities of a crew of a set of available assets that are controlled by the first CAD system, and capabilities of a crew of the set of available assets that are controlled by the second CAD system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second CAD system comprises an auxiliary system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 connecting to an auxiliary system.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  or  5 , wherein the auxiliary system is selected from the group consisting of a system configured to provide real-time crash updates along relevant routes to the location of the emergency situation, a system configured to provide aerial oversight of the emergency situation using an autonomous drone fleet, and a system configured to provide a secure source of data for emergency communications to enable faster response times and better situational awareness. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indication of the emergency is received through either the first CAD system or the second CAD system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first CAD system and the set of available assets that are controlled by the first CAD system are associated with a first jurisdiction, and wherein the second CAD system and the set of available assets that are controlled by the second CAD system are associated with a second jurisdiction that is different from the first jurisdiction. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the common user interface overlay is associated with a common data exchange format that resolves the incompatibility between the information exchange interface associated with the first CAD system and the information exchange interface associated with the second CAD system. 
     
     
         10 . A system for communicating emergency information, comprising:
 a hosting center;   a plurality of public safety access points (PSAPs);   a processor coupled to the hosting center and each of the plurality of PSAPs; and   a memory, coupled to the processor, including instructions stored thereupon, wherein the instructions upon execution by the processor cause the processor to:
 connect to a first PSAP and a second PSAP, wherein an information exchange interface associated with the PSAP is incompatible with an information exchange interface associated with the second PSAP; and 
 perform, using a common user interface overlay, the following operations:
 receive an indication of an emergency situation, 
 transmit a list of available assets to the first PSAP, wherein the list of available assets comprises at least a set of available assets that are controlled by the second PSAP, 
 receive, from the first PSAP, a set of active assets designated to respond to the emergency situation, wherein the set of active assets is selected from the list of available assets, and 
 transmit, to the second PSAP, the set of active assets. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is implemented in a cloud-based service. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of PSAPs comprises:
 a dispatch center computer;   a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) server; and   a local database,   wherein the local database comprises a list of available assets and resources controlled by the corresponding PSAP.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the hosting center is configured to track one or more emergency responders in real-time. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the hosting center is further configured to generate one or more reports comprising emergency responsiveness statistics, key performance indicators, and compliance with industry standards. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an auxiliary system that is selected from the group consisting of a system configured to provide real-time crash updates along relevant routes to the location of the emergency situation, a system configured to provide aerial oversight of the emergency situation using an autonomous drone fleet, and a system configured to provide a secure source of data for emergency communications to enable faster response times and better situational awareness.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the common user interface overlay is associated with a common data exchange format that resolves the incompatibility between the information exchange interface associated with the first PSAP and the information exchange interface associated with the second PSAP. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereupon for communicating emergency information, comprising:
 instructions for connecting to a first computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and a second CAD system, wherein an information exchange interface associated with the first CAD system is incompatible with an information exchange interface associated with the second CAD system;   instructions for performing, using a common user interface overlay, the following operations:
 receiving an indication of an emergency situation, 
 transmitting a list of available assets to the first CAD system, wherein the list of available assets comprises at least a set of available assets that are controlled by the second CAD system, 
 receiving, from the first CAD system, a set of active assets designated to respond to the emergency situation, wherein the set of active assets is selected from the list of available assets, and 
 transmitting, to the second CAD system, the set of active assets. 
   
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the indication of the emergency is received through either the first CAD system or the second CAD system, and wherein the indication is part of a 9-1-1 call, a fire alarm activation, or an Emergency Alert System (EAS). 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the common user interface overlay is associated with a common data exchange format that resolves the incompatibility between the information exchange interface associated with the first CAD system and the information exchange interface associated with the second CAD system.